The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on August 16, 2012, that its Southeast regional offices would increase enforcement efforts at construction sites to lower the number of construction-related fall fatalities.

Starting August 20, OSHA will inspecting sites throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi to identify any projects that may pose a risk to construction workers.

OSHA is aiming these enforcement efforts at reducing an upward trend in the number of construction-related fatal falls in the region. Falls are one of the four leading causes of worker deaths in the Southeast.

"OSHA's goal is to raise awareness about fall hazards and eliminate those conditions that lead to employee deaths," said Cindy Coe, the agency's regional administrator in Atlanta. "Our compliance officers will conduct immediate inspections when they observe employees working from elevation without fall protection."

According to OSHA, falls are one of the most common causes of occupational accidents. Provide workers with appropriate fall protection equipment to ensure worker safety and compliance with federal regulations.